FNP in a psychiatric office?

[bethymaester]

I've just started talking with the hiring manager for a psychiatric office that is willing to hire a new grad FNP. They know the extent of my psych experience is what you come across in an ER. The manager is going out of town so I can't really ask any questions for a week so I'm asking my question here out of burning curiosity! This office looks like they are primarily psychologists and counselors with one new hire experienced mental health nurse practitioner and a physician one day a week . . . any insight on what a FNP would be wanted for in the office?

[Jules A, MSN]

I can only speculate they want a FNP because they are easy to come by and way cheaper than a PsychNP. Definitely do your due diligence and check with the board because in most states you will run into scope of practice difficulties if you are working in psych without the board cert.

[traumanightsRN, NP]

You will be fine. Lots of FNPs work in Psych practices. They hire them because they can write prescriptions. I speculate you we will just be doing med management, no talk therapy.

[Dranger]

I was under the impression psych NPs do the med management and less psychotherapy. At least this is what my PsyD/PhD friend tells me....Jules A?

[Barnstormin' PMHNP]

I would do as JulesA said and check with BON so you know what you can and can't do. You might need to take an additional psychopharmacology class if you haven't had one already.

[bethymaester]

Well, I'm in Alabama and scoured the BON site and the standard protocols for both the FNP and PMH-CRNP . . . and I'm pretty confused, lol! It really looks like the PMH-CRNP is actually more restricted than the FNP since additional "skills" (including suicide risk assessments, etc.) can be requested if appropriate to the collaborating physician's qualifications and the site. Any idea if maybe those additional skills wouldn't be approved for an FNP?

[Jules A, MSN]

I was under the impression psych NPs do the med management and less psychotherapy. At least this is what my PsyD/PhD friend tells me....Jules A?

At least in my area we do only medication management. Therapists and social workers are paid far less than we are to do the therapy.

In some states for example Delaware, which is reported to be changing soon, FNPs can practice solely in psych but not in most. In MD it is not OK and your license will be in jeopardy if the BON is notified.

[Jules A, MSN]

You will be fine. Lots of FNPs work in Psych practices. They hire them because they can write prescriptions. I speculate you we will just be doing med management, no talk therapy.

Are you willing to bet your NP license on this?

[BCgradnurse, MSN, RN, NP]

Just my thoughts...as an FNP, I don't feel qualified or comfortable enough to practice in a psych setting. I can handle uncomplicated anxiety and depression, but I firmly believe anything more than that should be handled by a psych provider. I would absolutely check with your BON to see what the rules are in your state before you make any decisions, but it's not something I would feel comfortable doing, even if it's legally within my scope of practice.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Even if it's ok, are you sure you want to do it? Patients who come into the psychiatrist's office can have some very complicated psych illnesses. I suspect you'll be required to prescribe medications. Are you ready to prescribe psych medications?

[bethymaester]

Yeah, I definitely have concerns, so these are great questions to ask!

Even if it's ok, are you sure you want to do it? Patients who come into the psychiatrist's office can have some very complicated psych illnesses. I suspect you'll be required to prescribe medications. Are you ready to prescribe psych medications?

[traumanightsRN, NP]

Are you willing to bet your NP license on this?

In Virginia you can be an FNP and work in Psych. Lots of Psych offices with ads for hiring FNPs.